RANKED
1. Avengers: Infinity War
Ties 18 films worth of plot threads and characters into an unprecedented epic space opera while managing to respect and elevate the comics. The stakes have never been higher as Thanos' presence towers over our beloved heroes like the spectre of death.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2018
2. Guardians of the Galaxy
As the rare individual who collected DnA's Guardians run and James Gunn's Slither and Super DVDs, this film was made for me. Great action, cinematography, humor, music, vision and a lot of heart. Took my cosmic corner of Marvel and shared it with the world.
Premiere: Jul 31, 2014
3. Black Panther
A beautiful and daring film using the worlds largest stage to shine a light on complex racial and geopolitical issues through an awe-inspiring take on Afro-futurism. An all-star cast, iconic score and vibrant cinematography. It is unapologetic and hopeful. A G.O.A.T. contender.
Premiere: Feb 13, 2018
4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn goes out with a bang, nailing the sweet spot of breaking and simultaneously warming your heart. He poured his soul into giving Cosmic Marvel the spotlight it deserves. I'll forgive that Adam Warlock was an afterthought. This is the best MCU trilogy.
Premiere: May 5, 2023
5. Avengers: Endgame
It masterfully uses the concept of time travel to build an emotional epic mosaic out of incredible character moments. Delivers the most satisfying conclusions to beloved character arcs twenty-two films and over ten years in the making. The ultimate cathartic finale.
Premiere: Apr 24, 2019
6. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Facing insurmountable odds Ryan Coogler and the entire cast and crew some how outdo themselves. Like Japanese Kintsugi, they reforge the shattered pieces with gold, highlighting the beauty in resilience. Namor is equally awe inspiring and horrifying.
Premiere: Nov 9, 2022
7. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Sam Raimi uses every trick in the Necronomicon, punching through the barrier between Superhero Blockbuster and Indie Horror. Mind-blowing cameos and references for us Marvel Zombies and Evil Deadites. Hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking.
Premiere: May 4, 2022
8. Iron Man
The invincible foundation the MCU was built upon. The dark themes and visual design evoke genre icons like Indiana Jones and Robocop. They avoid the narrative pitfalls of the time by balancing out Islamophobia with corporate greed. There was no risk more rewarding than casting RDJ.
Premiere: Apr 30, 2008
9. WandaVision The Complete Series
Daringly experimental, anchored by Elizabeth Olsen's powerful performance. Comes together like magic, using sitcom tropes to toy with expectations while fortifying the emotional origin of the Scarlet Witch leading into the Multiverse Of Madness.
Finale: Mar 5, 2021
10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Russo Bros deliver one of the best comic films of all time in this gritty spy thriller. Winter Soldier is a relentless threat, like Michael Myers with guns. My favorite portrayal of Black Widow. The action is brutal and it has one of the best twists in the MCU.
Premiere: Mar 26, 2014
11. Thor: Ragnarok
Oscar winner Taika Waititi energizes the property with a Kirby Crackle, elevating it to new heights and forging a comic book movie masterpiece that effortlessly nails the quirky humor while lifting the surprisingly weighty themes. Chris Hemsworth fully proves that he is worthy.
Premiere: Oct 24, 2017
12. Doctor Strange
Scott Derrickson opens the viewers third eye to present a clear unrestrained vision for the Dr. Stange comic's blend of eastern spirituality and new age psychedelic esotericism. The rare film that demands to be seen in 3D. My only issue is with China's censorship.
Premiere: Oct 26, 2016
13. Loki Season 2
The best MCU series. Masterful art direction. What a creative and unexpected way to set up Secret Wars. They somehow even pulled off the impossible task of wrapping up Kang in a relatively satisfying manner. This is essential viewing for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Premiere: Oct 5, 2023
14. Loki Season 1
Feels like the TVA are a meta commentary on crafting the "sacred" Infinity Saga with an authoritarian like iron fist. To save the day in Endgame the Avengers had to break all the rules. Now creators can do the same as the MCU expands into Phase 4 and beyond.
Finale: Jul 14, 2021
15. Werewolf By Night
Prolific composer and first time director Michael Giacchino nails the horror tone, delivering a shockingly gory homage to the Universal Monsters while unleashing Marvel's own Legion of Monsters on the MCU. You'll be dying for more Elsa Bloodstone and Man-Thing!
Premiere: Oct 7, 2022
16. Captain America: Civil War
The Russo Bros close out Marvel's best trilogy (at the time) by dividing the Avengers by ideology, paying off on years of character development. A disagreement among friends becomes a brutal battle to the death. The point the films caught up to the comics in scope.
Premiere: Apr 27, 2016
17. Spider-Man: No Way Home
It weaves generations of dangling threads into an emotional tapestry celebrating Spidey's rich history. Its brimming with fan-service but has the Spider-Sense to save it for fun character moments. A creative plot avoids pitfalls as Jon Watts swings for the fences.
Premiere: Dec 15, 2021
18. Deadpool & Wolverine
It's everything the haters wanted from Multiverse Of Madness but could only work in a satirical comedy. The Fox X-Men movies finally get the respect/disrespect they always deserved. My only nitpick is a CG door. The fans will be serviced to completion.
Premiere: Jul 26, 2024
19. The Avengers
Kevin Feige nails the landing and delivers the blueprint for cinematic universe building. It nearly achieves a perfect balance of the all-star cast as it builds to an epic third act victory lap celebration. Crisp visuals, clean action and banter that is almost too witty.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2012
20. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Confident enough to stay street level, scaling back the stakes to blue-collar crime. The authentic cast nails the John Hughes high school tone. Tom Holland is the best fit yet for the role & Keaton grounds the Vulture as the working class pushing back.
Premiere: Jul 5, 2017
21. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The first was about misfits giving a $#!% to become a family. The sequel strains those bonds against toxic masculinity & focuses on the roll of fathers. James Gunn's vision is unleashed and it's all turned up to eleven, including the characters obnoxiousness.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2017
22. Agatha All Along The Complete Series
While WandaVision fans will feel at home, Agatha manages to carve her own path. It's a brimming cauldron of genres masterfully mixed by the Triple Goddess that is Kathryn Hahn, Aubrey Plaza and Joe Locke. Now to manifest a
Young Avengers show by Jac Schaeffer!
Premiere: Oct 30, 2024
23. Moon Knight The Complete Series
Takes big swings, stripping away anything comparable to Batman and leaning into the supernatural. Oscar Isaac is phenomenal as he cycles through adorable, intimidating and heartbreaking. The care put into the Egyptology and D.I.D. pays off big time.
Finale: May 4, 2022
24. Echo Season 1
Alaqua Cox fully embodies the role. The MCU always nails casting and representation. They somehow pull off the Netflix slow burn in a perfect five episode binge. This look at Kingpin as a deranged father-figure manages to deepen TV's best comic villain performance. It really needs a second season.
Premiere: Jan 9, 2024
25. Iron Man Three
The only time the trailers improved the film. Shane Black does his own thing in this homage to '80s & '90s blockbusters with references to everything from Robocop to Home Alone. The best humor of the trilogy and a fitting commentary on corporate American politics.
Premiere: Apr 24, 2013
26. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
The MCU expands to incorporate Chinese mythology with an incredible team of Asian talent, delivering a powerful and refreshing take on the genre. Top tier fight choreography. Channels classics like Rumble in the Bronx and Crouching Tiger with a touch of Kung Fu Hustle.
Premiere: Sep 1, 2021
27. Captain America: The First Avenger
Johnston channels his pulpy Rocketeer energy to deliver an earnest old fashioned WWII period piece. Evans surprised all by wholeheartedly embodying the role of Steve Rogers. Great chemistry with Atwell who propels Peggy to Marvel's A list.
Premiere: Jul 22, 2011
28. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law The Complete Series
It unabashedly adapts the comics with a full commitment to the absurdity and sexuality, gleefully dragging the MCU out of its comfort zone. A refreshingly fun sitcom lampooning culture warriors. This was definitely not made for conservative men, and is far better for it.
Finale: Oct 13, 2022
29. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
A psychedelic sensory overload that makes Dr. Strange seem tame in comparison. It leans into the uncanny valley to sell the absurdity of the Quantum Realm. Kang the Conqueror steals every moment. It might be too silly for some, but I'm here for it.
Premiere: Feb 15, 2023
30. Eternals
Director Chloé Zhao is unapologetic in adapting Jack Kirby's take on ancient astronaut theory. The first MCU film that's not trying to please everyone. As divisive and epic as the property demands. Breaks all the MCU rules, allowing the universe to grow and mature.
Premiere: Nov 3, 2021
31. The Marvels
Nia DaCosta doesn't waste any time. She naturally finds everyones voices and blasts straight to the action. It's like a random comic off the spinner rack mixed with an episode of classic Star Trek. The fleeting fun of the status quo after the origin and before the finale.
Premiere: Nov 10, 2023
32. Thor: Love and Thunder
Drunk with power from Ragnarok's success, Waititi leans into his strength of balancing childlike enthusiasm and soulful tragedy, but struggles under the weighty source material. The result is uneven with hilarious and beautiful highs and disappointing lows.
Premiere: Jul 6, 2022
33. Thor
Kenneth Branagh was a compelling choice to adapt Thor for general audiences. Asgard is masterfully introduced in the first act fully realized before the second act stumbles slightly to earth. It's elevated by Tom Hiddleston's emotional performance as Loki.
Premiere: Apr 21, 2011
34. Ant-Man
Peyton Reed salvages the troubled production originally to release in Phase One and crafts a lighthearted palette cleanser to top off Phase Two. Paul Rudd is a great choice as the lovable loser in this family friendly heist film that fits big world building into a tiny package.
Premiere: Jul 14, 2015
35. Spider-Man: Far From Home
The dessert after the seven course meal that is Avengers: Endgame. The situational teen comedy organically mines the hilarious ramifications of "the blip". The Mysterio concept is the perfect fit. Tom Holland and Zendaya's awkward romance is endearingly authentic.
Premiere: Jun 26, 2019
36. Avengers: Age of Ultron
It's overstuffed and convoluted, yet surprisingly experimental for a sequel to a massive blockbuster. James Spader is perfectly cast as the unhinged counter to RDJ's quirky wit, but Ultron is kept on the run, overpowered and unable to reach his full potential.
Premiere: Apr 23, 2015
37. Falcon and the Winter Soldier The Complete Series
Buddy-cop action meets political thriller. It plays to the strengths of actor chemistry and social commentary. Flag Smasher is more MacGuffen than true villain. Baron Zemo, USAgent and Isaiah Bradley are adapted with great care, fortifying the story.
Finale: Apr 23, 2021
38. Black Widow
Espionage action akin to Winter Soldier, right down to the unstoppable assassin Taskmaster. Pushes the PG-13 rating. Visceral action punctuated by the expected third act spectacle. Deepens the tragic character but suffers from a forced ending common with prequels.
Premiere: Jul 7, 2021
39. Ms. Marvel The Complete Series
A wonderfully charming cast & great cultural representation dragged down by a messy plot and weak villains. I really could have done without wold ending stakes and time travel. Might have worked better as a movie in the vein of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Finale: Jun 13, 2022
40. Hawkeye The Complete Series
Seamlessly pulls Clint closer to the source material, but misses the mark on the lofty promise of Fraction/Aja meet Die Hard. It has a lot of fun doing its own thing, elevated by show stealing newcomers Kate Bishop, Swordsman and Echo. Bring on LA for another season!
Finale: Dec 22, 2021
41. Captain Marvel
Focuses a messy comics history into a strong origin story. Larson brings enough confidence to match Iron Man or Thor. They wasted Mar-Vell. Sam Jackson's de-aged Nick Fury and Mendlesohn's Talos are scene stealers, but a couple gags get a little loose with the fouth wall.
Premiere: Mar 6, 2019
42. The Incredible Hulk
An homage to the classic Bixby / Ferrigno TV show before the third act swings for the fences with bombastic comics spectacle. A great supporting cast. Unfortunately, time hasn't been kind to the Hulk and Abomination's rubbery CGI, but the action is superb.
Premiere: Jun 12, 2008
43. Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
James Gunn pulls off a Christmas miracle with a heartwarming special solely focused on fun character moments. There is no villain or big third act set piece, just quality time spent with found family. Mantis shines in the spotlight while Drax re-gifts his usual schtick.
Premiere: Nov 25, 2022
44. Iron Man 2
A fun low-stakes sequel heavily focused on world building. Almost a slice-of-life examination of power and fame inflating the ego to self destructive proportions. Touches on the alcoholism and womanizing from the comics, paving the way for future character development (that never came.)
Premiere: Apr 28, 2010
45. Ant-Man & The Wasp
Some of the fun is lost under the strain of expansion. Revels in the chaos of the chase but gets lost in a convoluted plot. The Quantum Realm is fascinating and seemingly has a New Age spin with hints of parapsychology. Ghost is totally lost in translation.
Premiere: Jul 4, 2018
46. Thor: The Dark World
A troubled production. Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins was fired, leaving a disgruntled Natalie Portman to phone it in à la The Prequels. Chris Hemsworth has grown into the role. Playful action with underserved villains. Some great character designs aside from Kurse.
Premiere: Oct 30, 2013
47. Secret Invasion The Complete Series
The first MCU series to fully disappoint me. How could they fumble with such a stacked cast of veterans? Rewatching this had me flashing back to pushing through Iron Fist. They could have saved it with a shocking finale that set up dramatic irony for the next Avengers film.
Premiere: Jun 21, 2023
